BREAKING: CCP Games Relocating to the City of Decatur

Decatur Metro| | 10:49 am

If you considered the Holiday Inn hotel renovation “big news”, THIS is HUGE news for Decatur. How do I know? Because in addition to the city, the Governor’s Office just put out a press release about it.

Bottom-line: The international digital entertainment developer, CCP Games, is relocating from Gwinnett County into the “Wells Fargo/J. Christopher’s building” at 250 East Ponce de Leon Ave inside the city of Decatur. The move is thanks to a LOT of hard work at every level, from the State, to the County, to the City, right on down to the property owner, to keep CCP in the state of Georgia. After the company adds 150 new jobs, they will be 300 strong inside our city.

From both the state and the city’s press releases it also sounds like the decades of hard work on Decatur’s part to create an attractive, walkable community, played no small part in CCP’s decision. From the Governor’s Office press release…

“Decatur offers the perfect blend of big city accessibility with a hometown feel that we were looking for,” said Mike Tinney, President of CCP North America. “Georgia’s financial climate combined with Decatur’s social climate provide the ideal conditions for continued growth.”

Also…

“CCP Games had a list of qualities they wanted in a new business location — a strong sense of safety, easy access to MARTA and a high quality of life that would be attractive to new employees — and we met all of them. A business environment that supports creative businesses and had a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment within easy walking distance of their office were also high on their list,” said Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd. “Decatur fit their needs and CCP fits our vision for our downtown business community. We welcome them to our city and look forward to their participation in our creative, actively engaged community life.”

Congratulations to all involved! You can read both press releases for yourself in full after the jump.

First from the Governor’s Office….

CCP Games Announces Georgia Expansion

International gaming developer to relocate North American headquarters, create 150 jobs

Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that CCP Games, the Reykjavik, Iceland-based digital entertainment developer, will relocate its CCP North America headquarters from Gwinnett County to the City of Decatur in DeKalb County. This move is expected to create 150 new jobs over three years, bringing the company’s U.S. staff total to 300 by 2013, while retaining its existing workforce.

“For digital entertainment companies, Georgia brings to bear a competitive set of resources for this industry that makes our state a strategic home for game developers such as CCP,” said Deal. “It is also encouraging to see an existing Georgia company expand and take full advantage of our state’s progressive business atmosphere, and enhance its commitment to our state.”

CCP Games is a leader in the multiplayer video gaming industry. The company is the creator of EVE Online, a science fiction-based multiplayer online game, which was introduced in 2003. Two additional projects, World of Darkness and DUST 514, are currently in development. Through this expansion, CCP North America will support the needs of its growing company and suite of products.

“Decatur offers the perfect blend of big city accessibility with a hometown feel that we were looking for,” said Mike Tinney, President of CCP North America. “Georgia’s financial climate combined with Decatur’s social climate provide the ideal conditions for continued growth.”

The company will locate in a 40,000-square-foot facility at 250 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur.

“I am pleased to welcome CCP to DeKalb County’s growing cluster of creative industry companies,” said DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis. “DeKalb is home to a dynamic young workforce, educated at institutions such as Emory University and the Art Institute of Atlanta. CCP’s decision to locate in DeKalb will create highly paid jobs for both young graduates and more experienced workers in the fast-growing gaming industry.”

Interactive entertainment companies in Georgia benefit from the state’s comprehensive technology infrastructure and highly skilled workforce. This makes Georgia a competitive location for media industries such as video game development, animation and digital entertainment. More than 75 digital entertainment companies have Georgia locations, which are fed by a pipeline of talent matriculating from more than 15 Georgia colleges and universities offering industry-related courses.

“CCP Games had a list of qualities they wanted in a new business location — a strong sense of safety, easy access to MARTA and a high quality of life that would be attractive to new employees — and we met all of them. A business environment that supports creative businesses and had a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment within easy walking distance of their office were also high on their list,” said Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd. “Decatur fit their needs and CCP fits our vision for our downtown business community. We welcome them to our city and look forward to their participation in our creative, actively engaged community life.”

Georgia Department of Economic Development project manager Glen Whitley assisted the company with this relocation, in collaboration with the City of Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia Power and the Metro Atlanta Chamber

About CCP Games

CCP is recognized for the creation of revolutionary gaming experiences designed with a unique combination of stunning artistry and advanced technology. Best known as the independent developer and publisher of EVE Online, the critically acclaimed, space-based massively multiplayer online game (MMO) and PC Gamer’s 2009 ‘MMO of the Year,’ CCP is currently in preproduction on two additional titles: World of Darkness, a dark, immersive MMO based on the legendary roleplaying franchise of the same name; and DUST 514, the groundbreaking massively multiplayer online first-person shooter (MMOFPS) set in and linked to the EVE Online universe. Founded in Iceland in 1997, CCP is privately held and has additional offices in Atlanta, Newcastle and Shanghai with a datacenter in London. More information can be found at www.ccpgames.com.

From the city of Decatur…

City of Decatur Wins Global Company

DECATUR, GA—City of Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd announced today that CCP Games, the Reykjavik, Iceland-based digital entertainment developer, is relocating its CCP North America headquarters to 250 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue in the City of Decatur. The company is expected to create 150 new jobs over three years, bringing the global software company’s staff total to 300 by 2013. They will occupy 40,000 square feet of office space in the city’s downtown business district.

“CCP Games will be one of our largest private sector employers and is a perfect fit for our downtown business district. They join a growing number of creative businesses relocating to our city because of our vibrant downtown business district and the high quality of life we offer,” stated Mayor Floyd.

The company is the developer of EVE Online, a science fiction-based massively multiplayer online game, which was published in 2003. Through this expansion, CCP North America will support the needs of its growing company and create an economic ripple effect that will benefit the region for years to come. The City of Decatur was selected because of its commitment to becoming a location for industries of the future and nurturing creative lifestyles.

“CCP outlined a list of requirements for their location including a safe, urban environment with a variety of restaurants and pubs that would be attractive to a younger work force,” said Peggy Merriss, Decatur City Manager. “We had all of the amenities they listed and we are excited that they made the decision to join the Decatur business community.”

“Decatur offers the perfect blend of big city accessibility with a hometown feel that we were looking for,” said Mike Tinney, President of CCP North America. “Georgia’s financial climate combined with Decatur’s social climate provide the ideal conditions for continued growth.”

An economic market analysis conducted for the city last fall as part of their current strategic planning process identified the need for the city to focus attention on attracting new commercial office tenants to diversify the city’s job base and attract higher paying jobs to the city. The report specifically targeted creative industries as an ideal fit because of the city’s reputation as a thriving small city with a business environment that encourages collaboration, supports small businesses and nurtures creative energy.

“The CCP decision to relocate to the City of Decatur is the type of announcement that every city wants to make. I have enjoyed getting to know the owners of CCP and look forward to welcoming all of their employees to our city. We believe they will be the catalyst that brings other creative businesses to our city and we look forward to a long, prosperous future together,” said Mayor Floyd.

“This project came together because everyone including the property owner, the State of Georgia, DeKalb County and the City of Decatur worked together to keep this company in Georgia and make this announcement possible,” said Sheila Hunt, the chair of the Decatur Downtown Development Authority. “We began working on this project with the property owner and their leasing agents a year ago. It was a team effort and we are grateful for all of the support we received to make this deal work,” she added. The Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the DeKalb County Development Authority, Georgia Power and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce assisted the company with this relocation and supported the city’s efforts to bring CCP to the City of Decatur.

57 Responses to “BREAKING: CCP Games Relocating to the City of Decatur”

Thanks to all the people, businesses and departments DM mentions above, and to the residents of Decatur for helping to make this town what it is. In my 11.5 years here, I have seen so many positive changes in our little city, and this is the latest success resulting from so many peoples’ vision and hard work.

It’s nice to see the city get an economic development win outside of retail development, and the company sounds like an excellent fit for the city’s economic diversification goals. I too am curious if local incentives were used to lure them here.

CCP outlined a list of requirements for their location including a safe, urban environment with a variety of restaurants and pubs that would be attractive to a younger work force,” said Peggy Merriss, Decatur City Manager.

this is great news. a friend who works for CCP told me about this last summer. at the time it was down to Decatur vs. New Orleans who was throwing them lots of incentives.

p.s. if you’re a local restaurant, refrain from visions of sugarplums dancing in your head re: lunchtime traffic –reportedly, CCP has an in-house chef/cafeteria that’s pretty good. but i’ll bet happy hour and dinner traffic will see a nice bump up.

The City provided no tax breaks or financial incentives. Their selection of the City of Decatur was truly based upon the quality of life issues we outlined in the press release. They are a fun group of creative individuals who will be a great fit for Decatur. We are delighted beyond words that they picked Decatur.

BINGO. From the oddly titled AJC article…
“The company received a $500,000 state grant to stay in Georgia and will receive workforce training from DeKalb, Weintraub said. The move makes CCP Decatur’s largest private sector employer, Weintraub said.”

This is fantastic and our friends at city hall should rightfully be very pleased with the efforts of everyone involved. It’s also a nice contrast with the flap over the bike box because the fact is, communities where the majority are those who nitpick and scrutinize every initiative as though each existed in isolation are incapable of the big picture vision that allows Decatur to compete so effectively.

Bottom line, Decatur has built policy and decision making around, among other things, livability, indie spirit, creativity and quality of life and it has paid off. As other communities increasingly consider giving away the farm to lure pretty much anything at all, I hope we stay the course.

Gamers and geeks now fall into the same demographics as every other group. They’re “normal”. So yea, they ARE into “procreating”. Most gamers over a certain age have families. There are also as many females as males. SHOCK!

The things they’re looking for are mostly for young people, but I can promise you there’ll be quite a few families. People don’t get younger, and whitewolf was around before CCP, hiring young innovators…

I was fortunate to represent CCP in this real estate selection process. You folks in Decatur will be very pleased… they’re one of the most fun and genuine groups of people I’ve ever worked with. And yes, the city folks did a great job of conveying Decatur’s many strong points. Congratulations to all of you!

This is a testament to all those devoted citizens who YEARS ago pledged loyalty to this city and thoughtfully put a high priority preserving Decatur and its unique quality of life, above all else. I am a native of Atlanta, growing up less than a mile outside the City of Decatur and almost witnessed Decatur lose its soul and existence back in the 70’s. Congratulations to all who were involved in making this happen. It has been a joy to witness Decatur emerge as such a vibrant community